Facebook’s ‘Like’ Button Declared Illegal In Germany

Citing violations to the countries strict privacy laws, the Independent Center for Privacy Protection (ULD) called for all Facebook ‘like’ plugins to be removed in the German state of Schlewsing-Holstein. The ULD stated that the Facebook ‘like’ plugin infringes on the Telemedia Act and the Federal Data Protection Act as Facebook transfers data back to the US. Also, according to Thilo Weichart, employee of the the data protection in Schleswig-Holstein, the plugins illegally tracked users’ web habits.

In the press release, the ULD stated:

The ULD expects all website operators in Schleswig-Holstein, that they immediately cease the data cascading over her to-use Facebook in the U.S., by disabling the appropriate services. This is not done until the end of September 2011, the ULD will take further measures.

About The Author

Greg Finn is the Director of Marketing for Cypress North, a company that provides world-class social media and search marketing services and web & application development. He has been in the Internet marketing industry for 10+ years and specializes in Digital Marketing. You can also find Greg on Twitter (@gregfinn) or LinkedIn.